Chapter 189: Fighting Xu Zong
Chen Dong hadn't expected Xu Zong to move against him after exchanging barely a few words.
Rage flared in his eyes. Taking a step forward, he used a Tai Chi Hand technique to deflect Xu Zong's grab and followed up with a rapid-fire Eighth-Level Top Heart Elbow.
Xu Zong had never underestimated Chen Dong. He smoothly blocked Chen Dong's attack with a Yin Yang Elbow and likewise used a Baji Hammer to seal off Chen Dong's follow-up strike.
He immediately took a step back, a faint throb of pain in his elbow and fist. It was unbelievable. Despite being a Celestial Spirit Powerhouse, he had actually come out at a slight disadvantage after just two exchanges.
Slightly angered, Chen Dong gave him no chance to breathe. He cupped his hands and struck straight for Xu Zong's jaw—a surprise attack called White Ape Offering Peaches that forced Xu Zong to retreat yet again.
Chen Dong pressed his attack, closing the distance with another Top Heart Elbow. Startled, Xu Zong instantly flared his Celestial Spirit aura, raising an arm to block the strike. Yet Chen Dong's force was like a charging dragon, sending Xu Zong flying back more than ten meters in an instant.
The three spectating captains, all Grandmasters with considerable skill in the Martial Dao, watched the short exchange in utter amazement. They were also secretly relieved they hadn't been reckless enough to make a move on Chen Dong. This 'drunken' Chen Dong was ferocious. His speed and power had even put Inspector Xu at a disadvantage.
The commotion from their fight drew a crowd of onlookers from the Military Suppression Department. Those who recognized Chen Dong were both shocked and indignant.
"That can't be the Thunder Dharma King fighting Inspector Xu!"
"What's he doing here? Did he come just to provoke us?"
"I don't know! Look, Inspector Xu is getting serious! He's even using his Divine Artifact!"
Summoned by his subordinate captains, Tang Xian hurried over. He cursed inwardly the moment he saw Chen Dong. 'Damn it, how did Tang Juncai manage to provoke this menace? And why the hell did he come to the Military Suppression Department camp?'
Xu Zong's brow was furrowed. The last time they'd fought, he had mostly evaded. He hadn't expected Chen Dong's counterattacks to be so ruthlessly effective in a direct confrontation. Deciding not to hold back any longer, he pulled out a pair of Divine Artifact gauntlets and put them on. With a surge of True Qi, the Celestial Spirit aura around him became even more substantial.
Perhaps he really was getting a boost from being 'drunk,' because Chen Dong grew more and more excited as the fight went on.
He shot forward in a leaping dash, unleashing a whirlwind of kicks.
Xu Zong retreated, parrying the blows before countering with a side kick.
Chen Dong grabbed the leg and used it for a takedown, slamming Xu Zong hard onto the ground. Xu Zong hadn't expected Chen Dong to know such a grappling technique. Unfortunately for Chen Dong, the Celestial Spirit aura absorbed the full impact of the blow.
He threw a knee at Chen Dong, and a shockwave from his Celestial Spirit aura threw Chen Dong back just as he was about to land a follow-up punch.
Getting to his feet, he assumed the Baji Fist opening stance: Erlang Carries the Mountain.
Chen Dong simply chuckled, then spun and launched a piercing palm strike aimed straight at Xu Zong's forehead.
Xu Zong blocked with one arm and countered with a Top Heart Elbow.
But Chen Dong seamlessly transitioned into 'Part the Wild Horse's Mane,' sending the great Celestial Spirit Powerhouse flying more than ten meters away yet again.
The hem of a skirt, part of a Military Suppression Department uniform embroidered with dark gold patterns, appeared beside Xu Zong.
"This man is incredible. He uses all sorts of fist techniques with such ease, and his transitions are flawless. Inspector Xu, by engaging him in a fistfight, you're playing to his strengths and exposing your weaknesses!"
The newcomer was none other than Cao Su, the Tianjiang Basin Lord of the Military Suppression Department.
Xu Zong's expression turned grim. 'What is the Domain Lord talking about?' he thought. 'Hand-to-hand combat is my specialty, too! Though... against Chen Dong, I am just a little bit outmatched. If I keep fighting him like this, I'll be completely humiliated in front of my peers.'
So, Xu Zong changed his tactics, preparing to overwhelm Chen Dong with his superior Realm. 'No matter how strong he is, he's still just a Grandmaster,' he reasoned. 'I can just suppress him with my Celestial Spirit cultivation base.'
At this thought, Xu Zong channeled the Celestial Spirit aura around his body into his fists. With a surge of True Qi, the aura on his fists swelled instantly, forming two massive hammers, each over a meter wide.
In the center of the field, Chen Dong remained fearless, his expression wild and arrogant. He crooked a finger at Xu Zong. "Come on, let's continue!"
Xu Zong leaped into the air, bringing his hammer-like fists crashing down toward Chen Dong.
BOOM! With a deafening crash, cracks spiderwebbed across the ground.
However, Chen Dong had easily evaded the astonishingly powerful strike with a single, casual step.
Xu Zong hadn't expected to defeat Chen Dong with a single blow. He was trying to build momentum and regain the face he had lost after being repeatedly repelled by Chen Dong.
He swept his fists, sending a massive, wave-like gust of wind rushing toward Chen Dong, followed by the phantom images of his Celestial Spirit fists.
Chen Dong's figure blurred as he used Eight-Step Chasing Cicada to close the distance again, intent on fighting up close. He blocked the massive hammer-fists with a two-handed stance, and with lightning speed, followed up with a whip-like strike aimed directly at Xu Zong's face.
Greatly alarmed, Xu Zong flared his Celestial Spirit aura just as a loud, crisp SMACK echoed across the field.
Every member of the Military Suppression Department present gasped. Even though the blow had landed on the Celestial Spirit aura, the sound was as sharp and clear as a slap to Xu Zong's own face. The strike caused no physical harm, but the humiliation was immense.
Sure enough, Xu Zong's eyes went bloodshot. His Celestial Spirit aura unfurled like a scroll and rolled toward Chen Dong. Simultaneously, he gathered True Qi in his fists and blasted a cannon-like strike at Chen Dong's chest.
Chen Dong raised a sharp eyebrow. Lightning crackled in his palm, and several bolts shot out to block the advancing Celestial Spirit aura. He then retreated rapidly, evading Xu Zong's killing blow. The force of the punch hit a tent in the distance, instantly tearing it to shreds.
This strike drew gasps of amazement from the Military Suppression Department personnel.
"Inspector Xu is too strong!"
"Celestial Spirit Powerhouses and Grandmasters are on completely different levels. Once a Celestial Spirit Powerhouse gets serious, even a Grandmaster as powerful as the Dharma King has to avoid meeting them head-on!"
"It's a pity. The Dharma King is too young. If he had another two years to reach the Celestial Spirit Realm, it would be hard to say who would win or lose."
After that strike from Xu Zong, they all believed Chen Dong's defeat was certain.
Just as his feet touched the ground, Chen Dong let out a light laugh. "What's wrong? Can't afford to lose?"
Xu Zong wanted to scream at him. 'Is this a game to you?' The killing intent in his eyes grew even stronger. "So what if I'm using my higher cultivation to bully you? You don't like it?! Come on, then!"
Chen Dong snorted coldly. "Bring it on!"